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Tag: NYSC

  • Illegal migration: El-Rufa’i seeks involvement of Governors’ Forum 

    Illegal migration: El-Rufa’i seeks involvement of Governors’ Forum 

    Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State on Wednesday cautioned the youths against migrating illegally out of the country, saying rather, they should remain, work hard and build bright future for themselves.

    The governor, who made the remark when he received officials of NYSC and PAIGAS who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, said the campaign instituted by the two on illegal migration was laudable.

    He asked them to extend the campaign to the Nigerian Governors Forum, to accelerate engagement with the youths and help address the menace.

    “Illegal migration is an unusual type of brain drain with several devastating effects synonymous with modern day slavery.

    “The youth population in Nigeria nurture the wrong impression that Europe and the West are greener, whereas, unknown to them. the condition of living there is hard, unsympathetic and devoid of community life that accommodates the interest of one another.”

    Read Also: Buhari has clear plans to end herders / farmers clashes  El-Rufa’i

    The governor, therefore, advised the youths to liberate themselves from “erroneous sense of entitlement, work hard, acquire necessary knowledge, experience, get involved and seize political authority” as practiced worldwide.

    He pledged to partner with the NYSC and PAIGAS in this respect.

    El-Rufa’i assured  the state government would provide additional hostel accommodation and upgrade of facilities at the NYSC Orientation camp in Kaduna.

    Earlier, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, the President, Pan-African Institute for Global Affairs and Strategy (PAIGAS), said the group consists of former Nigerians envoys and other imminent Nigerians who are committing themselves to this cause.

    “We have decided to use our wealth of experience and resources to sensitize corps members on the dangers
    associated with illegal migration.”

    Uhomoibhi expressed appreciation to the NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen Suleiman Kazaure for accommodating PAIGAS to reach out to serving corps members, as the bulk of illegal migrants were graduates.

    NAN

  • NYSC committed to national unity, integration – DG

    NYSC committed to national unity, integration – DG

    Brig.-Gen. Sule Kazaure, the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), said on Friday that the scheme was totally committed to its objective of unity and national integration.

    Kazaure stated this during his visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government of Rivers.

    He urged the newly sworn-in corps members in camp to see their deployment to Rivers as a call to national service.

    “As you embark on this national assignment, ensure that you respect your host community in your place of primary assignment and do not engage in anything that will discredit the scheme.

    “NYSC is all about unity and national integration; you must be good ambassadors of the NYSC and Nigeria.”

    According to Kazaure, the NYSC initiated a Skill and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) scheme to engage corps members in acquiring economic skills while in the orientation camp.

    “SAED is an initiative of the NYSC, primarily to aid corps members in obtaining necessary skills that will encourage them in turn to pursue entrepreneurship.

    “White collar jobs are difficult to get; so you must be prepare yourselves here in getting skills to also contribute in building the Nigerian economy.

    “You are the future of Nigeria; you have to work very hard wherever you find yourself by doing your best to add value to the Nigerian economy.”

    The NYSC boss urged them to be prepared and bear the minimal discomfort in the camp for 21 days.

    He advised the corps members to be security conscious and avoid unnecessary journey during the national service period.

    Kazaure commended the Rivers Government for contributing to the success of the scheme by developing infrastructure development in the camp.

    He said that corps members deployed to Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa were in the Rivers camp because the number was not much to open the NYSC camps in those two states.

    “This stream is just a spill-over; so the number is not much and there is no economic sense in opening camps in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa, since Rivers camp has the capacity to contain them,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Sunday Aroni, the state Coordinator, informed the director-general that the state government promised and delivered on all projects in record time.

    “The Rivers Government promised and completed four blocks of corps members hostels with 250-bed capacity, additional kitchen, expansion of dinning/viewing hall Between Nov. 14, 2017, and now.

    “Others are expansion of the multipurpose hall and construction of three blocks of five one bedrooms for camp officials,” he said.

    Aroni also disclosed that the state government had also approved the construction of a befitting camp residence for the state coordinator and the construction of two additional hotels and road network in the camp.

    He stated that a total number of 2,369 corps members were registered in the 2017 Batch ‘B’ stream II orientation in the Rivers camp.

    “This number is made up of 583 for Akwa Ibom, 495 for Bayelsa and 1,291 for Rivers,” he said.

  • NYSC corps members give birth at camp in Iseyin, Oyo – Official

    NYSC corps members give birth at camp in Iseyin, Oyo – Official

    Two pregnant women transferred from Kwara NYSC to Oyo State camp in Iseyin, delivered baby girls at the ongoing orientation camp.

    Mrs Ifeoma Anidobi, NYSC Coordinator in Oyo State, made this known in Ibadan on Friday in an interview.

    Anidobi said the babies arrived on Tuesday, the first day of the ongoing orientation course of 2017 batch B, stream II NYSC members.

    “The first baby arrived in the early hours of Tuesday at the General hospital, Iseyin while the second baby came later in the day.

    “The mothers are corps members deployed to Kwara state who are dislodged to Oyo state for their three-week orientation course.

    “The state coordinators of NYSC Oyo and Kwara states are very elated and full of praises to God for the safe delivery of the babies,” she said.

    NAN reports that of the 2,294 batch B stream II corps members that were sworn in at Iseyin on Thursday, 700 of them were from Kwara while 645 came from Ogun.

    NAN

  • Corps members from three states to camp in Kaduna

    Corps members from three states to camp in Kaduna

    A total of 2,235 2017 batch ‘B’ (Stream II) corps members deployed to Kaduna, Niger and Kogi States by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are expected to camp in Kaduna for the orientation exercise between Tuesday, 16th January to Monday, 5th February 2018.

    The need for the joint orientation course for the batch was not stated by the scheme but may not be unconnected to fewer number of prospective corp members deployed to these states – Kaduna 1,235, Kogi 500 and Niger 500.

    Assistant Director, Public Relations Department of the scheme, Sam Nkwopara in a statement said, the state has made adequate preparation to host these young Nigerian graduates at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, kilometers 16, Kaduna-Abuja highway by Sabon Gaya, Chikun local government area of Kaduna state.

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai is expected to preside over the swearing ceremony for the course participants on Thursday, 18th January while Chief Judge of the state, Justice Tanimu Zailani will administer the Oath of Allegiance on prospective corps members.

    He however called on employers who desire the service of corps members deployed to Kaduna State to apply now stating clearly the number of corps members, course/discipline required and the welfare provision put in place for them.

    Orientation course is the first of four cardinal points of NYSC followed by primary assignment and community development service while passing out parade signifies the end of one year mandatory service to motherland by fresh Nigerian graduates whether schooled within or outside the country.

  • NYSC condemns killing of corps member

    The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Julius Amusan, yesterday condemned the murder of a corps member in Eket, on Sunday.

    Amusan urged security agencies in the state to  apprehend the culprits.

    The coordinator described the incident as a sad development that must be condemned by reasonable persons.

    “It is a sad development that a young man that has come to cater for the development of the nation was murdered in cold blood. It is a sad development and we are sad,” Amusan said.

    Amusan, who described the late corps member as well-behaved and disciplined, appealed to security agencies to tighten security  around the Corpers’ Lodge.

    He said that the corps member, who did not travel during the Yuletide, went to meet his colleagues at the Redeemed Christian Corpers Fellowship Lodge in Eket.

    The coordinator urged corps members to be security-conscious and refrain from late night outing.

    The police had stated  that the 27-year-old corps member, attached to a public school at Nung Obong in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area,  was attacked in front of a lock-up shop at Akanimo Street in  Eket, Eket Local Government Area.

    An eye witness said  unknown assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at the deceased, who was with his colleagues.

  • Osun to pay NYSC members’stipend arrears

    Osun to pay NYSC members’stipend arrears

    The Osun State Government  has directed all relevant agencies in the state to begin the process and modalities for offsetting the arrears of the monthly stipend owed past and present members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state.

    The government also directed tax collecting agencies in the state to use all necessary means  to get the  cooperation of professional groups in paying their taxes and enforce all relevant laws on taxation.

    The directive was contained in a statement by the Media Adviser to the Governor, Mr Sola Fasure, at the end of the weekly State Executive Council meeting in Osogbo.

    The council was not happy  at the way some professional groups in the state have not been cooperating with the state’s tax administrators, saying no effort would be spared to ensure that taxable organisations and individuals  meet their civic responsibilities.

    The council asked organisations and individuals doing business in Osun to begin to realise that taxation is the basis of government sustenance and that the State Government is  determined to collect its revenue to the last kobo and bring the full weight of the law to bear on any defaulter.

    Similarly,the council condemned the culture of indiscriminate dumping of refuse by some residents of the state.

    It was particularly irked by the dumping of refuse   on road medians in major cities of the state.

    It said that if dumping of refuse at the median was not stopped, it could rubbish  the gains made by government in ridding the state of filth.

    It directed law enforcement agencies, particularly the Civil Defence Corps, sanitary inspectors and members of community development associations in the state to apprehend these saboteurs and make them to face the full wrath of the law.

  • INEC advises youths on free, fair election

    INEC advises youths on free, fair election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) on Tuesday advised youths in Cross to acquaint themselves with issues and importance of voter education to ensure a successful election in 2019.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in the state, Dr Briyai Frankland, gave the advice in Calabar at a “Young Emerging Political Leaders’ forum organised by Hit Fm radio station.

    Frankland, in his paper, entitled: “Raising Incorruptible Leaders’’, said that adequate voter education for youths would lead to high voter turnout during the elections.

    He said that youth leaders needed to embrace the exercise ahead of the elections, adding that this would lead to massive youth participation in the election.

    “Youths should be used as tools for voter education rather than tools for thuggery, violence and other electoral malpractices.

    “When youths are properly informed, they will participate well in the processes of elections and make positive contributions.

    “Adequate information and voter education by the youths will go a long way to achieving free and fair election in Cross River and Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Read also: 2019: INEC may transmit results electronically from polling units

    According to the REC, knowledge of electoral offences by the youths will reduce incidents of violence, thuggery and other social vices during elections.

    He said that it was due to the strategic role of youths in electoral process that INEC entered into Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) to use corps members during elections.

    Frankland recalled that INEC had in recent past appointed some influential youths as its ambassadors and also established youth clubs in secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the country.

    According to him, this was to assist the organisation in inculcating electoral values in the youths while they were in school.

    He advised them not to see election as do-or-die but to learn the new idea of “the loser congratulating the winner’’ at all levels of election in Nigeria.

    Frankland urged the youths to be upright in all their endeavours and to shun violence and all forms of malpractices during elections.

    He also advised them to resist politicians who would want to use them for election rigging and to maintain their integrity at all times.

    NAN

  • NYSC promises justice in killing of member

    NYSC promises justice in killing of member

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC )  on Monday  promised to ensure that justice was done in the killing of a corps member, Modupe Tawose.

    Mr John Okpo, the Ogun NYSC Coordinator,  gave the assurance during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Ibadan.

    Tawose was raped and killed on December 9 in Ogun.

    Tawose, 23, a 2017 Batch ‘A’ corps member serving with the Ogun State Ministry of Housing in Abeokuta was allegedly lured to her death by her driving instructor, Festus Udoh, 29.

    Her decomposing body was discovered in a bush on Wednesday at Abule Ayo in Odeda Local Government Area where she was tied by her hands to a tree.

    The suspect, who had since confessed to the crime, is being remanded in prison while awaiting trial.

    Okpo, who said the NYSC was deeply saddened by the occurrence, prayed God to console the family and grant the deceased rest.

    “The NYSC family nationwide is sad over the raping and eventual murder of our beloved and patriotic corps member, Late Miss Modupe Tawose.

    “We strongly condemn the act and will go to any length to defend and fight for the rights of our members and in this case, ensure justice is delivered.

    “We will do all to ensure Mr Festus Udoh is brought to book as this will serve as a deterrent to other miscreants and evil doers in the society,” he said.

    The NYSC boss used the opportunity to advise corps members to  be security conscious always and promptly report any security threat to the appropriate authorities.

    Read also: Police arrest instructor for allegedly raping, killing NYSC member

    “Corps members are to save the distress call centre numbers given to them during the orientation course in their various camps on the phones in case of emergencies.

    “They are also advised to move in groups and not to follow strangers, even known people with questionable characters,” Okpo said.

    Responding on behalf of the family, an uncle to the deceased, Mr Hakeem Okunola, thanked the NYSC for the condolence visit  and prompt action to ensure arrest of the suspect.

    “We thank the Ogun State Police Command for their swiftness in apprehending the accused and the NYSC  for their support.

    “We already have some sort of justice for finding our daughter’s body and the suspect.

    “Modupe did not die in vain going by the show of love poured her way by family and friends alike. She will be remembered for everything good.

    “As she has been laid to rest, we leave every other thing in God’s hands to bring the accused to book through appropriate judgment,” Okunola said.

    The victim had since been buried in line with the NYSC’s policy on death of corps members.

    Tawose was an HND graduate of Quantity Surveying from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and is survived by her father, Adeshina  Tawose,  and mother, Titilayo, as well as  siblings.

    NAN

  • Police arrest instructor for allegedly raping, killing NYSC member

    Police arrest instructor for allegedly raping, killing NYSC member

    The police in Ogun say they have arrested a 29-year-old driving instructor, name withheld, for allegedly raping and killing one Ms Modupe Taiyese, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Abeokuta, Ogun.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ahmed Iliyasu, told journalists at the scene of the crime in Abule Ayo area on Thursday that the suspect had confessed to the crime.

    Iliyasu said prior to the arrest of the suspect, the coordinator of the NYSC in the state, Mr John Okon had complained to the command about a missing corps member in the state.

    “We went for a powerful technical screening of fact left behind by the last person she contacted, who is the suspect; we are able to arrest him.
    “We are able to uncover this nefarious act and he led us to this place and confessed.
    “Technically, the information led to one person, an indigene of Uromi in Edo, who was teaching this innocent corps member, Taiyese Modupe, how to drive car.

    “The man tactically and deceitfully convinced her on Saturday evening, that her driving permit was ready.

    “She decided to answer his call and he cleverly and deceitfully apprehended the lady and brought her down to this forest where he had a forceful and unlawful carnal knowledge of her. Thereafter, he strangled her to death,” he said.

    Ilyasu also said the police tracked the suspect, following some passport photographs found at the scene of the crime.

    “The passport photographs of the suspect were found at the scene of the incident which is a remarkable evidence of crime.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the corpse of the deceased has not been removed from the scene of the crime as at the time of filing this report.

    The police boss advised members of the public to be wary of persons they interact with to avert unpleasant consequences.

    He,however, restated, the commitment of the police in the state to protect lives and property, saying that the state had no room for criminal activities.
    The suspect told journalists that he dragged the victim into a forest and had sex with her before he strangled her to death.

    “After I took her to this place, I told her that I wanted to have sex with her, she said `No’, but I dragged her into the bush and had sex with her.

    “After having sex with her, she said she would tell her family; that was when I tore her cloth and used it to strangle her.

    “As she was gasping, I ran away, “the suspect said.

    Read Also: Police panic as suspects attempted to flee 

  • Mum donates chairs to NYSC in son’s memory

    Despite losing her son at the Edo State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp last year, Mrs Oluwatoyin Atobatele has donated 300 chairs to the NYSC Lagos camp.

    Lagos State NYSC Director Prince Mohammed Momoh announced the donation during the closing ceremony of the orientation programme for the 2017 Batch B Corps members yesterday at the Iyana Ipaja orientation camp.

    Momoh thanked Mrs Atobatele for looking beyond her grief and called for a minute silence in memory of Michael and others who may have died during their service year.

    “Mrs Atobatele, mother of one of us who came from the United Kingdom to serve and died in camp in Edo State, has given us 300 chairs.  Michael’s sister is in Lagos camp now,” he said.

    Mrs Atobatele said the donation was done through the Michael Atobatele Foundation, which was initiated to promote the values shared by the late Michael who died at 22.

    She said the graduate of Business and Human Resource Management from the University of Hertfordshire would have empowered youths like the foundation is now doing.

    “If he was alive, maybe that’s what he would have done because he doesn’t like to see anyone suffer; he likes to see everyone okay and he had passion about Nigeria; he believed that Nigeria will become a better place.  These are youths; and now we have a foundation in his memory and all we do is to empower youths so whenever we see youths having problems we help them,” she said.

    Mrs Atobatele called for the government to rehabilitate orientation camps to make them fitting for habitation by the fresh graduates.

    “My opinion is that this NYSC should be scrapped; but in the situation that they don’t scrap it, they should make life a lot easier and better for these kids.  While my son was in Edo State, he was there for three weeks; he never ate the food. Lagos State (camp) is not like that but some states…I think Lagos State is better – probably followed by other states. The bed my son used then, I told him to return from camp.  But you know boys, he kept saying “No, mummy I’ll survive”.

    “It (the camp) is not a place to be.  Some (states) use primary schools.  It is not meant for camping; 40 children in one room! How do you want them to survive?  The skill acquisition (programme) I like it. I feel other states should emulate Lagos and make life easier for corpers,” she said.

    Reacting to the issue of facilities, Momoh said the NYSC Director-General, Brig General Suleiman Kazaure was doing his best to ensure they are up to standard even though state governments are meant to take care of them.

    Governor Akinwumi Ambode, represented by Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Mr Olaseye Oladejo, counselled the Corps members to take their skills acquisition training seriously so as to qualify “for a start-up capital from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund established to provide financial support for   residents and Corps members  serving in the state.”